The historical society acquired the building in November 2021, and is restoring it with plans to turn it into the city's first permanent local history museum.

[2] The building's primary facade featured a row of windows above two large doorways for horse-drawn firefighting equipment.

The doors and many of the windows have been infilled, though the facade's brick and limestone features remain largely intact.

[4] William C. Rea purchased it that year for $48,000; he expressed plans to house an electronics store, drive-in Christian film office, and possibly a museum of the history of Franklinton.

[6] The station was planned to become the offices of Heritage Ohio, which sought a $1–2 million renovation around 2016, including for its first floor to be used for retail or a restaurant.

Heritage Ohio and the housing authority successfully nominated the building to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.

The organization instead plans to move into part of the Ohio History Center, leaving the Columbus Historical Society to acquire the building.